Photo By: Bureau of Customs
Manila – Customs Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno led the inspection of twenty-two (22) abandoned refrigerated containers containing contaminated frozen meat and fish products valued at approximately ₱178 million.
The operation underscores the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to strengthen border protection and safeguard food safety, particularly in preventing the entry and distribution of potentially hazardous agricultural imports into the country.
The shipments were placed under customs custody at the Manila International Container Port (MICP) after the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS) detected compromised cold chain conditions during a 10% spot-check examination. The inspection revealed that the containers had experienced thawing, raising serious concerns about the safety and quality of the goods.
Following a comprehensive evaluation, the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), both under the Department of Agriculture, issued Notices of Violation (NOV) for non-compliance with the Food Safety Act and other relevant importation regulations.
In line with the Bureau of Customs’ enforcement measures, the condemned shipments—consisting of thawed beef, pork, chicken, and fish—will undergo proper disposal through dumping procedures. Authorities affirmed that all responsible parties will be held accountable in accordance with the law.
The seized goods have a total estimated net weight of 576,911.28 kilograms across twenty-two (22) containers. These include sixteen (16) containers from Brazil, two (2) from the Netherlands, and one (1) container each from the United States, United Kingdom, France, and Australia.
The shipments were declared abandoned pursuant to the provisions of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA) after the importer failed to process lawful withdrawal within the prescribed period.
During the inspection, Commissioner Nepomuceno emphasized the importance of strict monitoring in curbing agricultural smuggling:
“Isa talaga sa mga susi upang masawata ang pagpupuslit ng mga produktong pang-agrikultura ay ang maigting na pagbabantay ng BOC. Patunay rin ito na tuloy-tuloy at kongkreto ang ating mga aksyon at hakbang upang masiguro ang kaligtasan sa pagkain at ang mga pangunahing pangangailangan ng ating mga mamamayan.”
From 2025 to date, the Bureau of Customs has filed a total of 72 criminal cases before the Department of Justice, 24 of which involve the smuggling of agricultural products. This reflects the agency’s firm and sustained enforcement posture through legal action and prosecution.
MICP District Collector Felipe Geoffrey K. De Vera reiterated the port’s commitment to ensuring that all imported food products comply with legal, sanitary, and safety standards, in line with the Bureau’s mandate to uphold effective border protection.
The Bureau of Customs remains steadfast in its commitment to inter-agency coordination with partner institutions to protect public health and ensure that all enforcement actions are carried out in accordance with existing laws and regulations.